Jennifer served as Book Manager for A.C. Fuller's "The Anonymous Source." Seen here with the author at Village Books in Bellingham, WA.

Years ago, while living in New York City, I would spend a Friday night at the Barnes & Noble at 14th Street-Union Square. First, I would grab a handful of books I had on my reading wish list and plunk down in a comfy chair. Unfortunately, my pocketbook at the time allowed me to purchase only one book. Before departing, I would get a coffee at the café and go to the metal folding chairs set up in the reading gallery to listen to an author talk about his or her latest book.

​When I wanted to support a small, independent bookstore, I would head over to BookCourt in Brooklyn and do the same.More recently, while living in the Pacific Northwest, I listen to authors of fiction, memoir, non-fiction, humor, and all genres by attending writing conferences like the annual Write on the Sound held in Edmonds, Wash. When I want to hear an author do a reading from his or her book, I go to Village Books, an independent bookseller in Bellingham, Wash.

The reality is that not all authors are good at speaking, self-promotion or selling. That’s OK. Writers are good at writing.

Sometimes the speaker is well prepared, confident and engaging, which is enjoyable for the audience. We get valuable information on how to write our memoir or novel. We laugh at interesting stories and leave with a good impression of the author’s work (and a purchased copy of the book). Other times, the author is nervous or uncomfortable or just doesn’t know how to make genuine, or subtle, pitches to buy the book.

The reality is that not all authors are good at speaking, self-promotion or selling. That’s OK. Writers are good at writing.

Therefore, if you are an author approaching an upcoming book signing, writing workshop or lecture and want to boost your confidence, and more importantly your book sales, here are a few tips:

1) Remember to stay hydrated. Try tea or tepid water. Ice water tends to alarm the vocal cords, whereas a warm drink is more soothing and calming.

2) Pass around one copy of the book during the talk. If they’ve come to hear you, chances are they are old-school book lovers and will enjoy touching the cover, rubbing the book spine and holding it as if it were theirs. Make them envision it on their bookshelf. Also, diverting attention to the book takes the focus off of you momentarily to take a deep breath and relax.

3) Assume everyone will purchase a copy. Use language like “readers like you,” “when you read the book…” (Similar to job interview advice.)

4) Make reference to page numbers and turning points. For example, “By chapter 3, Clarissa was becoming stronger and looking at life in a new way.” Or, “On page 67, she says …” Your audience will begin to connect with plot and writing technique and will want to get to that exact spot to see for herself. Also, those who brought a pre-purchased copy for signing can follow along.

​5) Bring something new to each engagement. Your audience will appreciate when you say, “I haven’t mentioned this before during a talk…” Be genuine and your readers will connect with you, and then your writing.

Bonus info: While this video (below) is geared toward public speaking, I'd argue it provides an excellent structure for all storytelling. ​Authors and writers take heed... watch this short explanation (8 mins) of how to succeed at public speaking and pay particular attention to the parts about giving your audience a reason to care (5:32) and building metaphors (6:45):https://www.ted.com/talks/chris_anderson_teds_secret_to_great_public_speaking#t-39948

Here, "body" implies lifelessness. This isn't always the case but consider each time you write "dead body," can I say this more descriptively or more precisely? "Body" may suffice.​From "Shroud for a Nightingale," (1971) by P.D. James:“Dalgliesh had noticed it before when the body was taken away, this sense of an empty stage, of props casually disposed and bereft of meaning, of a drained air. The recently dead had their own mysterious charisma. Not without reason did men talk in whispers in their presence.”

Take a cue from master writer Stephen King, author of the novella "The Body."

"Dead" body" is redundant. Just say "body," like P.D. James did in 1971.

When it comes to writing, typecast me the journalist -- a writer of non-fiction. Case closed. You're not going to find me hunched over my laptop at Starbucks banging out the Great American Novel, nor sketching love poems to Mr. Right. And you certainly won't find me writing a children's bedtime story for my five nieces and nephews: Samantha, Nicholas, Nadine, Ryan and Sarah (now ages 16-6).

​So how did I find myself surrounded by a dozen authors and illustrators of children's books last night at a Barnes & Noble cafe in Bellingham, Wash?

Well, my role as a professional proofreader is a different story. Whether it's a sleepy story for babies, a cookbook for busy college students or a media thriller like "The Anonymous Source,"* all of these titles require top-notch, eagle-eye proofreading.

​So how did I find myself surrounded by a dozen authors and illustrators of children's books last night at a Barnes & Noble cafe in Bellingham, Wash?

Admittedly, I have not ventured into writing children's books nor doing illustration. I'm not a school educator, not even a babysitter, or nanny. (Well, I was a camp counselor that one summer in 1985.) Heck, I don't even have kids.

Of course, it helps to be familiar with the genre you're proofing. It makes sense that a proofreader would choose projects that she is familiar with and would enjoy reading. But proofreading as a skill requires the precision and scrutiny to identify and correct mistakes, whether it's a 400-page novel, a e-book memoir, or a kid's coloring book with brief directions.

Eagle Eye ProofreadingIn fact, I would argue, being an outsider to the genre is an advantage as a proofreader because the material is fresh and unfamiliar making me even more astute and hyper aware to check spelling, jargon and "inside baseball" references. Nothing goes past these eyes.

With that, I had the pleasure of attending a meeting of the SCBWI. What is that, you ask? It's the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, which touts itself on its website as, "The international professional organization for writers and illustrators of children’s literature."

On a rainy February evening in the Pacific Northwest, a bunch of members of the Northern Network of Western Washington SCBWI gathered to hear guest speaker MaryAnn Kohl discuss self-publishing. Her biography caught my eye as I read my Facebook newsfeed the other day (which is filled with writer- and writing-related posts). With her extensive background as a K-2nd grade educator, MaryAnn is the author of more than 25 titles of art activity books -- you know, the kind that get kids doing something with their hands and minds and being creative. Take for example, "Big Messy Art," that includes "Over 100 messy, but easy to clean up art activities." Sounds like a book that both kids, and parents, will enjoy.

Even though the final word count may be only a few hundred words, children's book authors need editors and proofreaders too.

I figured, even though their final word count may be only a few hundred words (versus 90k for adult fiction or non-fiction, let's say), children's book authors need editors and proofreaders too. I promptly handed out my business card and enjoyed MaryAnn's 90-minute talk. Whether you are a children's book author or illustrator or looking to self-publish your novel or memoir, you may find some of her tips valuable:

Do your research. Go to bookstores, browse the aisles and check out titles similar to the book you are writing. What is out there already? Check out book covers and designs. Feel the paper. What appeals to you? Then go online and check the books' rankings on Amazon.com. How well are those titles selling? If the genre or type of book you're writing is not there, decide whether that indicates it's a snoozer or maybe you're the first to do it?

Basic Questions to Ask Yourself. Explore these three questions to guide your decisions on publishing: a) WHY do you want to publish? b) WHO will buy your book? c) WHAT makes your book unique?

Pricing. Keep your book under $20. That's a general price point that filters out customers and can make or break sales, according to MaryAnn.

​Have fun setting up your business. Come up with your brand. Create a logo. Get a business license. Be aware that for children's books, the teddy bear, rainbow and handprint have been done to death so avoid cliché and go for something unique and personalized.

Finally, MaryAnn says, a great way to promote your book is not necessarily telling everyone, "Buy my book!" Rather, go ahead and travel to schools, universities, book clubs and associations in your genre with a presentation related to your book.

World TravelMaryAnn has travelled around the world schlepping crayons, paint, paper, glue and other materials (and her books), setting up art stations in auditoriums and gymnasiums to give day-long presentations and keynote speeches to schoolchildren, teachers and parents about creativity and the unique crafts in her books. In most cases, she gets paid a fee along with receiving hotel and travel stipends. Start pitching a unique, professional presentation in your region and then branch out to other areas where you would like to travel. It can get exhausting, she says, especially if you transport lots of materials, but the exposure as an author is very valuable and will generate book sales. Her books have been translated into several languages, so she gets a kick out of seeing her titles with international appeal.

During the evening, MaryAnn explored so many more topics including wholesale and national distributors, promotion tools, ISBN numbers, preparing and manuscript and copyright... the list goes on so check out her website for loads of information.

With three decades in the publishing, writing and education fields, MaryAnn figures she has a wealth of knowledge to give others. "When I was starting out, I didn't have anyone to tell me this stuff," she said over drinks afterward. "I have so much to share and want to help other authors get started."

FOR MORE INFOYou can find more information on the SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators), by going to : https://www.scbwi.org/about/

Jennifer Karchmer is a professional proofreader and editor for authors of all genres. Contact her today with your manuscript and get started with professional proofreading.

*disclosure: I am a Book Manager for A.C. Fuller's "The Anonymous Source," published in 2015 by Booktrope.